Ravens build the trenches in a BIG way in 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft
By Justin Fried
Round 4, 126th Overall, Ravens: Nick Cross, S, Maryland
Nick Cross is a local product from Bowie, MD who grew up to attend the University of Maryland. On top of the local ties, his skill set is exactly what the Ravens need in their secondary.
Cross is a true coverage safety with the range to project as a plus-starter at free safety in the future. He has the versatility to line up all over on defense and Maryland used him everywhere from a single-high safety to a sub-package WILL linebacker.
DeShon Elliott is a free agent and, even if he’s brought back, his extensive injury history makes it hard to rely on him moving forward.
Cross could compete with Brandon Stephens and Geno Stone for snaps early in his career while giving the Ravens another young defensive back to bolster their secondary depth.
Round 4, 138th Overall, Ravens: Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri
The Ravens will return both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards this season, but that doesn’t mean they won’t address the running back position in the offseason.
Missouri’s Tyler Badie is an intriguing mid-round target who could give the Ravens the dynamic, change-of-pace RB3 they once hoped they had in Justice Hill.
Badie stands at just 5-foot-8, 194 pounds, and will likely never be a true three-down running back in the NFL. But he’s electric with the ball in his hands and thrives in open space.
The Ravens could add another big-play element to their offense in the form of the lightning-quick Badie, giving them additional depth in their backfield.